Musicline School Musicals
Census Sums (Nativity) Cover

Census Sums (Nativity)

by Dave Corbett

Pricing & Order Info.
Ideal Cast Size 54
Speaking Roles 33
Minimum Cast Size 33
Duration (minutes)30

Why choose this Musical?

Unlimited chorus parts

Flexibility

Flexible Cast size to suit YOUR group numbers, from 33 actors upwards. See "Casting" tab below.

Easy to stage and costume

Repetition in songs for ease of learning

Songs are suitable for solos or small groups

Easily constructed and manageable props

CDs of Backing and Vocal Tracks available

Easy Play Piano/Vocal Score (Grade 4 / 5 Standard) available

Age Range - Key Stage 1 Production (5-7 years)

NEW! Instant Scenery with our digital backdrops
A different backdrop for EVERY scene change

Supplied in both a PowerPoint presentation and as individual JPG files.

School Play Backdrop
No more Scenery Painting!

Sing it! "Karaoke-Style" learning! Check out the video below...

TOP TIP: unmute the video to have a listen and a sing along!

*** NEW *** Hear it. Copy it. Learn it!
Leanr it! Logo

"Learn it!" is an "Audio Book" style read-through of the entire show performed by professional voice actors. It teaches each child their lines, when to perform them and most importantly, HOW to perform them. The copy and repeat method is simply the best and quickest way to learn. An essential product for SEND cast members. The "Learn it!" product is available as downloadable MP3 files or as a standard Audio CD. Have a listen to a sample of the "Learn it!" product on the "Samples" tab below.

If you'd like a more in depth explaination about "Learn it!", check out this explainer video.

One special Baby Boy, Two Parents, Three Kings, Four Shepherds, enough Cooks to spoil the broth (figgy cake, actually), and a host of Angels; it all adds up to the very first Christmas. But what about the Census Takers... do they count?

'Census Sums' is a humorous take on the Christmas nativity. Its straightforward plot, simple staging and easy to teach songs make it perfect for the NQT.

Prologue

It's "Census" time in Bethlehem! Six Narrators open the show before the stage is swamped by a crowd of townspeople during Track 1.

Scene One: The Census Office In Bethlehem

In the Census office in Bethlehem, Four Census Takers, the Officer in Charge and an Assistant are preparing for the task ahead. However, it soon becomes clear that counting may not be their strong point!

Scene Two: The Road To Bethlehem

On the long road to Bethlehem, Census Taker 1 comes across a heavily pregnant Mary, her husband Joseph and their comical counting Donkey. After being counted, Mary and Joseph wearily continue on their journey during Joseph's solo in Track 3.

Scene Three: Kings From The Orient

Three Kings bearing gifts and three 'scratty' camels are the next to add to the list when Census Taker 2 bumps into them on their journey to see the baby King.

Scene Four: Outside A Bethlehem Inn

Mary and Joseph arrive at an inn in Bethlehem. Although the inn is full, the kindly Innkeeper and his Wife take pity on the pair and offer their stable as a place for them to rest.

Scene Five: Inside That Very Same Bethlehem Inn

In the kindly Innkeeper's kitchen, a Cook and her Servants are busy preparing a cake for their guests. Census Taker 3 attempts to count them but with the Servants also counting orders, it all becomes too much!

Scene Six: On That Very Same Hill Overlooking Bethlehem

Four mischievous Shepherds are tending to their sheep when Census Taker 4 requests that they form a line to be counted. The line of four turns into a never ending line as the Shepherds use the opportunity to pull a prank! As a group of angels appear to deliver a special message to the Shepherds, Census Taker 4 tries his best to count them all. But what exactly is a group of angels called?

Scene Seven: A Stable In Bethlehem

Baby Jesus has been born! As all the visitors cram into the stable the Census Takers try to count them all. Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds, Kings, Cooks, Servants, Innkeepers and Animals. So, what does it all add up to? There's only one thing it could add up to... CHRISTMAS!

Suggested Cast List For 54 Actors

NB. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.

Character NameNumber of Lines
Cook11
Census Taker 38
Assistant Officer7
Census Taker 16
Census Taker 26
Census Taker 46
Mary6
*Joseph5
Officer In Charge4
King 14
King 24
King 34
Ethel4
Narrator 44
Narrator 13
Narrator 33
Shepherd 33
Shepherd 43
Innkeeper's Wife3
Narrator 22
Narrator 52
Narrator 62
Shepherd 12
Shepherd 22
Innkeeper2
Jane2
Ben2
Ruth2
Tom2
Donkey 1
Angel 11
Angel 21
Angel 31

Non speaking roles: A chorus of four Townspeople (Prologue and Scene one); three Camels (Scene three); a chorus of six additional Angels (Scene six); four Sheep (Scene six) and four Stable Animals (Scene seven).

Note: The Chorus of Townspeople could also include: The Shepherds, Innkeeper, Innkeeper's Wife, Cook, Ethel, Jane, Ben, Ruth and Tom.

Suggested Cast List For 33 Actors

NB. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.

Character NameNumber of Lines
Cook
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
11
Census Taker 38
Assistant Officer
also plays non speaking Angel
7
Narrator 1
also covers Narrator 4's lines
7
Census Taker 16
Census Taker 26
Census Taker 46
Mary6
*Joseph5
Narrator 3
also covers Narrator 6's lines
5
Narrator 2
also covers Narrator 5's lines
4
Officer In Charge
also plays non speaking Angel
4
King 14
King 24
King 34
Ethel
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
4
Innkeeper's Wife
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
3
Shepherd 3
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
3
Shepherd 4
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
3
Shepherd 1
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
2
Shepherd 2
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
2
Innkeeper
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
2
Jane
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
2
Ben
also plays Townsperson (Prologue/Scene 1)
2
Ruth
also plays Stable Animal (Scene 7)
2
Tom
also plays Stable Animal (Scene 7)
2
Donkey
also plays Stable Animal (Scene 7)
1
Angel 11
Angel 21
Angel 31

Non speaking roles: three Camels (Scene three) who also play Sheep (Scene six).

Resource Image

Title Artwork

Great for creating your own customised artwork for your show!
Download .png
Resource Image

Cover Artwork

Printable book cover artwork. Great for posters and programmes!
Download .jpg

5 Star Rating

Census Sums (Nativity)

"Census Sums had a lovely, simple plot that didn't mess about too much with the traditional nativity story (but just enough for added fun) and great songs with bouncy choruses that made you want to join in ... It's hard to try and pick a best bit, although the opening song, "Come Follow The Star", was incredibly sweet, and "Stand Still Granny" was a witty work of art. Best of all perhaps was "Mix It" where the children skilfully sang and danced their way through the creation of a Figgy Cake."
Lisa Watson, Journalist for The Penguin News, Falkland Islands

5 Star Rating

Census Sums (Nativity)

"A really fun musical with magic moments and great songs! The kids loved it and so did the parents! Happy Christmas! "
Laura Stewart, St Leonards School, St Andrews

5 Star Rating

Census Sums (Nativity)

"The large family audience was captivated right from beginning to end, enjoying every moment."
Margaret Vincent, The Falcons School For Boys

Add your review

FREE "Sing it!" app!

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  Downloads

Instant Downloads allow you to pay online with a Credit/Debit Card or PayPal and instantly download your materials as PDFs and/or MP3s.

Product Name Product Price Qty
Script (Non-editable PDF) US$14.00
Script (Editable Word Doc) US$17.00
PDF & Word Doc Scripts US$21.00
PDF Easy Play Piano Score (Grade 4/5 Standard) US$14.00
MP3 Backing Tracks US$7.00
MP3 Vocal Tracks US$7.00
MP3 Learn it!What's this? US$7.00
Project it! (PowerPoint and JPGs)What's this? US$21.00
Sing it! (PC)What's this? US$14.00
Sing it! (MAC)What's this? US$14.00

  Posted

The traditional means of getting your items. Most of our works are RING BOUND books or CDs of recorded music.

U.K. schools can order posted items with a school order number.
This facility is available at the end of the ordering process.

All UK posted orders are now sent via Royal Mail's 24 hour, fully tracked service. You will receive a tracking number via email once we have despatched your goods.

Non U.K. posted items are sent express tracked airmail delivery anywhere in the world. Please allow 14 days for all international deliveries.

Product Name Product Price Qty
Script US$24.00
Pack of 5 Scripts US$54.00
Easy Play Piano Score (Grade 4/5 Standard) US$22.00
CDs of Backing and Vocal Tracks ( 2 CDs) US$18.00
CD of Learn it!What's this? US$11.00
Project it! CD-ROMWhat's this? US$27.00
Sing it! CD-ROM (PC & MAC)What's this? US$21.00

  Performing Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Performing Licence covers you to perform this musical.

It is illegal to perform ANY published musical without the appropriate licence which is only available from the publisher of that musical.

'Blanket' licences which you may have DO NOT cover the performing of published musicals.

A performing licence is required for EACH PERFORMANCE.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price per Performance Price Number of Performances Number
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00

  Copying Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Copying Licence covers you to copy ALL of any of the items you buy for this show either posted or downloaded.

This Licence is only available from the publisher of the copyright material.

It is illegal to reproduce or share ANY published material without the appropriate licence.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00

  Video Licence: valid for 12 months from date of issue for THIS musical only

The Musicline Video Licence allows you to record your performances and sell the DVDs without royalty payments applying. The Video Licence is given FREE OF CHARGE if you order a Performing Licence and a Copying Licence at the same time. Only fill in the box below if you wish to purchase a video licence separately.

For more information about Licencing, please click here

Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
200+ Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$43.00
150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$35.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$28.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$21.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) US$14.00
Youth Theatre (any size) US$71.00